New high performance solo tent?

[mountnman]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good solo tent that will stand up to the requirements of the Western Arthurs, South Coast Track, etc? I'm not going to be going to the alps in winter (not that crazy ), but I want something that is light, strong, and can handle some wind and possibly some snow. I have my eyes on a MSR Hubba HP, but was wondering if anyboby else has any suggestions. I'm prepared to pay up to $1000 for a good tent. Thanks

[ninjapuppet]

I wish i had a grand to spend on another solo tent!. Personally, i think its abit much to spend 1k on a solo tent.

If i were you, i would look at :
For the strongest solo tent:
Hillebergs are nice, such as the Hilleberg Soulo $550 US
http://estore.websitepros.com/1764795/- ... Detail.bok

for a very lightweight solo tent:
Mountain Lourel Designs Solomid $535 with all accessories.
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/sh ... cts_id=137

For something in between, your Hubba HP seems like a nice choice
I have none of them but have read up on them and would believe they're all capable of handling some wind and snow.

Myself - I have a tarptent moment for solo, and Hilleberg Jannu for winter alpine, both to be tested this upcomming winter, and i think thats a very nice combo. I just now need a super lightweight 300 gram tent like the hexamid to complete my collection, then i'm going to get rid of all my other tents.

[ninjapuppet]

By the way, i do also have a hubba - the heavier cheaper mesh version.
If dimensions are the same, then your hubba HP is extremely cramped compared to the others i mentioned above. I havent used it much at all over the years due to its lack of space. I admit they do look good tho!

[mountnman]

I did look at the Hilleberg Soulo, but i thought at 2.2kg packed weight would be too heavy for a solo tent (based on the fact that the standard hubba weighs 1.53kg, the HP even less at 1.36kg, and the 2 person Hubba Hubba weighs 2.12kg). But I guess the question is "is it worth the extra weight?". The size of the Hubba seems to be ok. It's a little bit higher and has a marginally bigger vestibule. How well would they stand up with a strong breeze blowing (noting that the pole system on the hubba only has one main one over the top and the Y branches at the ends plus the little one on top, as opposed to the Soulo having 3 poles all touching the ground in a star pattern)?

[mountnman]

I also just noticed that moontrail.com have the Hubba HP listed as a 3 season tent, and the Soulo as a 4 season tent....

[corvus]

G'day mountman,
If space and weight is a concern Scarp 1 Tarp Tent may suit you I have only used mine once in benign conditions ,check out what Chris Townsend has to say about them bearing in mind that the 4 season version is even better than that which he uses .
corvus

[Ent]

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Last edited by Ent on Thu 11 Nov, 2010 8:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Nuts]

With that sort of money you could buy two tents (probably a good idea).. I like hilleberg (and the scarps look ok ) but just dont like the sacrifice made with light/solo tents that have the walls smaller in the end (ie falling away above your face/feet) must be cramped for the taller players. Also, the lengths taken to achieve snow loading strength are not really necessary, you are going to want something waking you up. From what ive found in snow camping (even with a top vent) you need to clear a lower vent at some stage (and clearing the roof is not difficult).

I like the tipi concept, especially those that rely on walking pole/s, though many suffer the same fall away.
I guess that the old cabin style A frame was a long time in coming and simple but it did have full height over the noggin.

I wont mention other brands, they all seem to have lightweight options these days. Depends on priorities, weight?, room?, easy pitch?, freestanding?
Personally, I dont think the shelter is a good place to make compromises for weight alone. You mention not intending to do much winter/alpine walking so many of the three season tents would likely be sufficient but i'd decide on all other features before considering weight.

My advice would be to keep surfin and read reviews as there are some interesting products out there and some smaller designers never mentioned.
Its funny reading reviews, people can be quite fickle, dismissing certain models, swarming to others. Convinced that they have spent wisely.
Many times it seems more a matter of not realising how to work with a particular aspect of the design or just not pitching properly etc... At the end of the day, a tarp would do if you understand and work with the limitations... Theres nothing to baffle, no potential for big $ in a tarp, have it stretch at complex angles, supported for convenence or that one day a year that most people may actually Need a bombshelter...

[mountnman]

OK, so I have decided that the best way to go will be to get 2 tents. I have decided that the 3 season tent I will get will be the standard MSR Hubba , and for the 4 season tent am umming and ahhing between 2 Hillebergs, the Akto, and the Soulo.

I have read the review on the Akto that Brett gave on this forum, and it does look like a good tent. From what I can see, The Soulo also looks like a good tent, but is US$130 more expensive, and weighs 0.9lbs (400gms) more than the Akto.

The Soulo is a little bit taller, but has 3 poles, as opposed to the Akto which has just one pole, so I would assume that the Soulo would withstand winds a little bit better with the extra strength from the extra poles. I would say that the extra poles would be where the extra weight would be, at the cost of extra strength.

Does anybody else have any of these tents or have an opinions on either of them?

[Nuts]

Hillebergs lightweight range (ie Akto Nallo) dont really need any help to be useable all year round. The Akto is only a small tent and will need the snow kicked off in heavy falls but is an excellent little tent, superb build quality. If using a thick mattress probably more suited to say around 5'10" or less...

Hilleberg also offer a 'summer' mesh inner to swap for the winter inner (ie perhaps one tent would do?)

[corvus]

OK, so I have decided that the best way to go will be to get 2 tents. I have decided that the 3 season tent I will get will be the standard MSR Hubba , and for the 4 season tent am umming and ahhing between 2 Hillebergs, the Akto, and the Soulo.

I have read the review on the Akto that Brett gave on this forum, and it does look like a good tent. From what I can see, The Soulo also looks like a good tent, but is US$130 more expensive, and weighs 0.9lbs (400gms) more than the Akto.

The Soulo is a little bit taller, but has 3 poles, as opposed to the Akto which has just one pole, so I would assume that the Soulo would withstand winds a little bit better with the extra strength from the extra poles. I would say that the extra poles would be where the extra weight would be, at the cost of extra strength.

Does anybody else have any of these tents or have an opinions on either of them?

G'day mountman,
You may want to check out this tent it's a good price.http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Hilleberg-Akto-O ... 0411576267? from a seller with a 100% ratingcmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Tents&hash=item20b12e9fcb
corvus